In His Service
Proverbs 17:9 – Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
While walking through the halls at work, as I often do, I observed and overheard a facilities worker say, “Good Morning,” to a well-dressed individual who in turn did not respond. A look of dejection immediately took the place of her initial sweet smile. I stood and talked with the young lady briefly and thanked her for doing such a good job. She smiles, is enthusiastic about her job, and makes the effort to perform her duties well. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” I thanked her for being such a great example of living out that verse. I then shared my own story with her, because sometimes we just need someone to relate.
When Lauren was 7 years old, she had just watched the USA Gymnastics Team win the Gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and begged her Dad and I for Gymnastics lessons. We visited a gymnastics center one afternoon and sat and watched their competitive team train. Lauren was completely mesmerized. Both her Dad and I were working one full-time job and one part-time job each, just to make ends meet. I approached the Gym manager and asked about pricing. It was expensive! I asked if there was something, I could do to barter for Lauren to take one class each week. Within a few days, we signed Lauren up for the class and I began my 3rd job, which entailed cleaning the gym bathrooms, ballet room, emptying garbage cans, etc.
The setting for the gym was right in the middle of one of the most prominent communities in Miami, Florida. So many of the patrons were well off financially and some even held major status positions in both politics and the entertainment industry. Some were nothing short of wonderful and some weren’t very nice at all. Lauren very quickly excelled in the sport and began competing within a few short months. Competitive gymnastics is very expensive, and as Lauren was promoted level by level, I became very good friends with the owner. Before I knew it, she entrusted me with additional responsibilities including managing the gym when she was out. Some of the same people who weren’t very nice to me while I was the janitor suddenly decided I met their criteria for friendship as the gym manager. I learned so much during those, almost, five years. First and fore most servitude with the right attitude develops character for the individual who is serving as well as those being served. There were good days and bad days, but just as with everything in this life, there were several lessons and plenty of blessings which I’ve come to discover are most often the very same thing.
We learn in our Christian walk that Jesus was the best example of what God expects from His children. Jesus was never too important or too righteous to treat others from all walks of life with kindness and respect. In fact, we see several accounts in the Bible, where he showed love to some of the most unlovable. He washed the feet of each of his disciples, including the one who was within just hours of betraying him in the worse way imaginable. He not only washed their feet, but he gave his own life to ultimately grant them and us a life in Heaven with Him for eternity.
I know for sure Jesus would’ve responded to that sweet facilities worker’s kind greeting that morning! He came to save a world in need of a Savior. Every single one of us fits that criteria. He doesn’t care about our social or financial status. He cares about whether we are living our lives according to His example and instruction. He cares about whether or not we love Him with our whole heart, soul and mind, and he cares about whether we love our neighbors, regardless of who they are, as much as we love ourselves. He loves us!
As we ended our conversation that morning, she asked me if I became friends with the people who weren’t so nice to me in the beginning. The honest answer is, I did, with a couple of them, but not all of them. Looking back, I wonder if I allowed my own pride to get in the way. Did pride cause me to miss an opportunity to show them an example of forgiveness? It’s our job as Christians to be a light in the darkness, share the hope of Jesus with the hopeless, and to forgive which is why he came for a world in dire need of forgiveness. I am so far from being who I need to be as a Christian, but with the experiences He allows in my life, I hope to capitalize on those opportunities presented whenever possible. One day, I hope to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”!
Proverbs 17:9 – Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Is there someone you need to forgive today?
